Iberia operates Spain's first commercial biofuel flight

Iberia today operated Spain's first biofuel-powered commercial flight using an Airbus A320 from Madrid to Barcelona.

The flight ran on a mixture of 75% conventional jet fuel and 25% biofuel derived from the camelina sativa plant, said the carrier.

The mixture was made by ASA using synthesised biokerosene produced by Honeywell's UOP subsidiary. It was certified by oil company Repsol.

Iberia said the flight burned 2,800kg of the fuel mixture and brought a reduction of nearly 1,500kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

Iberia provided the aircraft, crew and handling services for the test, and used the Peugeot electric ground vehicles it is now testing for airport use. Iberia also supplied the technical and maintenance services at Madrid Barajas airport.